Before taking flupentixol

Before taking flupentixol make sure your doctor or pharmacist knows:

• If you are pregnant, trying for a baby or breast-feeding.
• If you suffer from a heart condition or blood vessel disease.
• If you have liver or kidney problems.
• If you have breathing problems.
• If you suffer from Parkinson's disease.
• If you suffer from diabetes.
• If you have a condition called phaeochromocytoma (a tumour on your adrenal gland).
• If you have epilepsy, myasthenia gravis (a muscle weakening disease), prostate problems or glaucoma.
• If you have ever had jaundice (yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes), porphyria (a rare blood disorder) or any other problems with your blood.
• If you are taking other medicines, including those available to buy without a prescription, herbal or complementary medicines.
• If you have ever had an allergic reaction to this or any other medicine.

How to take flupentixol

• Before beginning treatment, read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet.
• Take flupentixol exactly as directed by your doctor.
• Try to take flupentixol at the same time(s) each day to avoid missing any doses.
• Take your doses during the day, not in the evening, as flupentixol can have an alerting effect in some people and may keep you awake.
• If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is nearly time for your next dose, in which case leave out the missed dose. Do not take two doses together to make up for a missed dose.
• Flupentixol can be taken before or after food.
• You may have to take flupentixol for several weeks before you feel the full effect.
• Do not stop taking flupentixol without first speaking to your doctor. Stopping treatment suddenly can cause problems and your doctor will probably want you to reduce your dose gradually if this is necessary.

Getting the most from your treatment

• Suicidal thoughts may be associated with depression and the medicines used to treat it. You may be at risk of such thoughts early in your treatment, or soon after stopping if you have previously thought about harming yourself, or if you are a young adult. Tell your doctor straight away if you are having any thoughts of harming yourself.
• Flupentixol may cause your skin to become more sensitive to sunlight. Use a sunscreen that protects against UVA light and has a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15, especially in strong sunlight or until you know how your skin reacts. Do not use sunbeds.
• If you are having any dental treatment or an operation, tell the person carrying out the treatment which medicines you are taking.
• Keep your regular doctor's appointment so your progress can be monitored.
• If you buy any medicines, check with a pharmacist that they are safe to take with your other medicines.

Can flupentixol cause problems?

Along with their useful effects, most medicines can cause unwanted side-effects although not everyone experiences them. These usually improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine, but speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following side-effects continue or become troublesome.

How to store flupentixol

• Keep all medicines out of the reach and sight of children.
• Store in a cool, dry place, away from direct heat and light.

Important information about all medicines

References

• Manufacturer's PIL, Fluanxol Tablets®, Lundbeck Limited, electronic Medicines Compendium. Dated May 2010.
• Manufacturer's PIL, Depixol Tablets®, Lundbeck Limited, electronic Medicines Compendium. Dated January 2010.
• British National Formulary; 60th Edition (September 2010) British Medical Association and Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain, London.